Bleeds

Bleed is the extension of any image or graphic past the trim that is intended to print or run off the edge of a page.

If you want images or backgrounds to run to the edge of the finished piece, it is important to include a bleed in the file. A bleed is an extension of the color or image that extends over the final trim size of the piece. This extension allows for any slight shift that may occur while printing or cutting, assuring that you won’t have a white border around the edge of the finished piece. The preferred minimum bleed is an 1/8 inch. (.125”)

For print pieces that DO NOT bleed, there should be a minimum margin of 1/4 inch of white space where there is no critical text or graphics to potentially be trimmed off.